By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit challenging a 2024 Florida law aimed at restricting children’s access to major social-media sites, ruling that industry groups did not show they had legal standing to fight the measure. Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker, in a ruling […]
By Dara Kam & Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Department of Management Services Secretary Pedro Allende got a grilling this week as a House budget panel digs into his agency’s employment of out-of-state workers, spending on travel and other hot-button issues. Allende’s appearance before the House State Administration Budget Subcommittee followed […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — With state universities and colleges continuing to see turnover of presidents, a House panel Wednesday unanimously approved a bill that would repeal a law shielding information about presidential candidates from public disclosure. The bill (HB 1321), unanimously approved by the House Education Administration Subcommittee, also […]
The Republican-controlled Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee on Tuesday approved a measure that targets diversity, equity, and inclusion, or “DEI,” efforts at medical schools and in state-agency contracts. The bill (SB 1710), filed by Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-Indian Rocks Beach, would prohibit money going to DEI offices or officers and would require “specific science […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Florida’s unemployment rate had a slight uptick to 3.5 percent in January, while Gov. Ron DeSantis touted growth in the labor force. The state Department of Commerce on Monday released a report that said the January rate was up from 3.4 percent in December. It […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — More than two years after the Legislature clamped down on lawsuits against property insurance companies, a House panel Thursday reopened a major debate about attorney fees when homeowners and insurers battle over claims. The House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee voted 16-1 to approve a […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLHASSEE — State higher-education leaders and university trustees have fired back at a lawsuit that alleges a 2023 law targeting diversity, equity and inclusion issues at universities violates the First Amendment. Professors at the University of Florida, Florida State University and Florida International University filed the lawsuit […]
By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — As Florida continues to struggle with a lack of affordable housing, lawmakers are looking at “granny flats” to help address the problem. Senate and House panels Tuesday approved bills (SB 184 and HB 247) that would require cities and counties to allow adding what are […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — After fierce — and expensive — political battles last year about abortion rights and recreational marijuana, Florida lawmakers Thursday began moving forward with a proposal that would place additional restrictions on the ballot-initiative process. Gov. Ron DeSantis has made the issue a priority after he […]
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Expect an economic impact study as a first step as discussions ramp up about the future of property taxes in Florida. Gov. Ron DeSantis in recent weeks has called for cutting property taxes, while also criticizing spending by local governments. Meanwhile, lawmakers have proposed a […]